Electrical connection plug



Oct. 14,1930. B. F. coNNER ELECTRICAL CONNECTION PLUG Filed May 11,

fizz 5112701" 5527 51??? F 5027175 17 1/. g T" M flttamy Patented Oct. 14, 1930 UNITE STATES PTE'l' OFFICE BENJAMIN F. CONNER, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO COLTS PATENT FIRE ARMS MANUFACTURING 00., OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATIO OF CONNECTICUT Application. filed May 11, 1928.

The invention relates particularly to electrical connection plugs such as are commonly used at the end of a conductor cord for providing an electrical connection to various current using appliances such as electric irons, electric toasters, electric heaters .and the like.

It is well known that connection plugs of this class frequently i become very hot by reason of heat transmitted from the appliances with which they are used and it is also well known that the frictional engagement of such plugs with the contacts of the appliances is frequently such as to offer considerable resistance tending to prevent removal. U By reason of the high temperature and the considerable frictional resistance the removal of a plug by taking direct hold thereof is frequently a matter of much discomfort and diiiiculty. To avoid such discomfort and di'diculty the user frequently pulls on the cord with the result that the cord is broken or detached from its terminals, .or the user pulls on the coiled wire support or guard which is commonly provided with the result that the said support or guard is pulled out of shape and made useless.

In my copending applicaton for electrical connection plugs Serial No. 227,026 filed October 18, 1927, I have disclosed two different plugs of this class, each having an improved handle additional to the plug and so formed as to be adapted for convenient manual engagement to pull the plug away from the appliance. lhe construction of the handle as disclosed in the said application is such that the manually engageable portion thereof is always at a comfortable temperature notwithstanding the heating of the plug- Furthermore the handle as disclosed in the said application is provided with um body;

longitudinal hole therethrough for receiving the conductor cord, the handle thus tale ing the place of the usual guard or cord formed of coiled wire.

In accordance w1th the present invention I provide a handle of the general type disclosed in the aforesaid application but having certain improvements and the primary object of the invention is to provide a han- ELECTRICAL CONNECTION PLUG Serial No. 276,358.

dle of this type which may readily be connected with electrical connection plugs of ordinary or standard construction without necessitating any changes whatsoever in the plug itself. While the primary object of the invention is to provide a handleadapted for claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a connection plug having connected therewith a handle means embodying the invention. In this view one of the parts of the plug body is omitted and a portion of the handle means is shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the handle means, the plug being shown in section along the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the handle means and plug. V

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the members of the handle means.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view somewhat similar to Fig. 1 but showing an alternate embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 2 but showing another alternate embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, particularly to Figs. 1 to 4: thereof, P represents as an entirety an electrical connection plug which is or may be of any usual or standard construction and which is formed with the usual annularly grooved cord guard recess therein. The details of construction of the plug may vary widely-but as shown the plug comprises two separate companion body parts 1 and 1 which are positioned at opposite sides of a longitudinal plane of division. The two parts are held in the proper relative positions by means of screws 2, 2. Carried by the body of the plug are two separate contacts adapted to be detachably engaged for electrical connection purposes with the supply contacts of a current using appliance. I have shown female contacts 3 and i of conventional "form. As illustrated the body parts 1 and 1 are provided with suitable registering recesses 5 and G in which the contacts 3 and 4.- are respectively located. Each contact 3 or -11 comprises two separate metallic parts held in place by means of a screw 7. The screws for the two contacts also serve as terminals for establishing electrical and mechanical connection with the conductors of a conductor cord such as C.

lVhile I have shown plug in which the conductors of the cord are connected directly ith terminals on the contacts it will be understood that I do not so limit myself and that the invention is equally applicable to other forms of plugs wherein the cord is in directly connected with the contacts, as for instance through a suitable switch.

At the end of the phig opposite the contacts 5 and 6 there is provided the usual opening or recess for the cord this recess being sufficiently large and being annularly 'rooved so as to be primarily adapted to rec ave ant hold the usual coiled wire guard or support for the cord. .he said annularly grooved recess is d signated in the drawing at 8.

In accordance with the invention I make use of the recess 8 for the retention of an inextensible handle means which is shaped for convenient manual engagement, which is preferably of low heat conductivi y and which is preferably hollow from end to end to permit the cord to extend therethrough. The handle means has a shank portion 9 which is of such size and shape as to be adapted to enter and approximately fit the said recess 8. The two body parts 1 and 1 thus serve when assembled to hold the handle means in place.

The handle means may be a single mem ber, preferably rigid, but I ordinarily prefer to provide an articulated handle means consisting of at least two separate pivotally connected members. Such an articulated handle means illustrated in. iiigs. 1 to el. 1 provide an intermediate handle member 10 which consists in part of the said shank 9. Pivotally connected with the intermediate member 10 is a handle member 11. The two members 10 and 11 are provided respectively with holes 12 and 13 therethrough and thus the cord G can extend through both members into engagement with the terminals of the plug.

Preferably and as shown the intermediate member 10 comprises two similar parts 10, 10 which are adapted to be held in assembled relation by the two parts 1 and 1 of the plug body. The said )tltS of the intermediate member 10 are provided respectively with interior recesses adapted to receive portions of the handle member 11. As shown each of the said parts 10, 10 of the intermediate member is provided with asubstantially cylindrical recess and the handle member 11 is provided with two transversely projecting pivot means or trunnions 14-, 1-1 adapted to enter the said recesses. Vith this construction the handle member 11 can be moved pivotally with respect to the intermediate member 10.

The details of the handle member 11 may be varied but I prefer to provide it with two oppositely extending projections 15, 15 which are c'zmreniertly engagcable by two lingers of the hand of the user. lVhen the handle memher 11 is provided with trunnions such as 14, let the said projections 15, 15 are preferably substantially parallel with the said trunnions.

The shank 9 of the intermediate member 10 may loosely fit the grooved recess 8 so as to permit the entire handle means to be turned about the longitudinal axis of the re cess. This pivotal mounting of the intermcdiate member permits the pivotal axis oi the handle member and also the said projections 15, 15 to extend in whatever direction may be most convenient.

In Fig. 5 I have shown an alternative const-ruction which consists of a single handle member 16 having at its inner end a shank 9 similar to the shank 9 and directly fitting the annular-1y grooved recess 8 of the plug P. At its outer end the handle member 16 is provided with convenient means for manual engagement such the projections 15", 15. The handle 16 is provided with a hole 13 therethrough for the cord. It will be obvious that the handle member 16 may be rotated about its longitudinal axis so as to bring the projections 15, 15 into whatever position may be most convenient for the user.

in Fig. 5 1 have shown another alternative construction wherein there is provided a two part intermediatemember 17 which has a shank 9" similar to the shank 9. The handle member 18 has a partly spherical portion 19 and the two parts of the intermediate member 17 are formed with spherically shaped reto receive the said spherical portion. This construction provides a ball and socket between the two members 17 and 18 and permits the member 18 to be universally adjustable. The member 18 may be provided with transversely extending projections 15", 15" exactly the same as the projections 15, 15 already described. The members 17 and 18 are provided respectively with holes 12" and 13 therethrough for the cord. lVith the construction shown in Fig. 6 the intermediate member 17 may be constructed so as to be firmly gripped by the two parts 1 and 1 of the plug body and thus held against relative rotative movement. Such rotative adjustment as may be required can be obtained by turning the handle member 18 relatively to the intermediate member 17.

It will be seen that with any one of the constructions illustrated it is possible for the plug manufacturer to provide a convenient handle means without incurring any expense in the modification of his standard plug construction. The handle means can be constructed separately and can be applied in lieu of the usual coiled wire guard or support for the cord. Furthermore in accordance with the invention the handle means may be sold separately and may be applied by the user in substitution for the coiled wire guard or support whichhe may have originally received wi h his plug.

The handle means, whether of one form or another, serves to enable the user to conveniently put the plug in place on an appliance or to-remove it therefrom. The handle means is always sufficiently cool to avoid any discomfort and there is no necessity for pulling on the wire. The handle means in addition protects and supports the wire, eifectively taking the place of the usual coiled wire guard or support.

lVhat I claim is: V

1. In an electrical connection plug, the combination of an insulating body, separate contacts near the one end of the body detachably engageable with the supply contacts of current using appliance and electrically connectible respectively with the conductors of a flexible cord, an intermediate handle member separate from the body and connected thereto at the end thereof opposite the contacts and rotatable with respect to the body and with respect to the contacts about a 1ongitudinal axis, the said intermediate member having a hole therethrough for the said cord, and a handle pivoted to the intermediate member for movement about a transverse axis, the said handle also having a hole therethrough for the said cord.

2. In an electrical connection plug, the combination of an insulating body, separate contacts near the one end of the body detachably engageable with the supply contacts or" a current using appliance and electrically connectible respectively with the conductors of a flexible cord, an intermediate handle member separate from the body and connected thereto at the end thereof opposite the contacts and rotatable with respect to the body and with respect to the contacts about a longitudinal axis, the said intermediate member having a hole therethroug h for the said cord, and a handle universally pivoted to the intermediate member for movement in any direction, the said handle also having a hole therethrough for the said cord.

3. In an electrical connection plug, the combination of two separate contacts detachably engageable with the supply contacts of a current using appliance,two terminals electrically connected with the respective contacts, an intermediate handle member having a longitudinal hole therethrough, a handle pivoted to the intermediate member for movement about a transverse axis and having a longitudinal hole therethrough, a flexible conductor cord extending through the said holes in the intermediate member and in the handle andhaving the conductors thereof directly connected at their inner ends to the respective terminals, and two companion body parts connectible with each other after the cord has been inserted through the said holes and has been connected to the terminals, the said body parts when so connected with each other serving to substantially enclose the contacts and terminals and the adjacent .portions of the cord and further serving to engage between them a portion of the intermediate handle member so as to retain both the said member and the handle with the cord extending through both of them.

4. In an electrical connection plug, the combination of an insulating body comprising two companion parts positioned at opposits sides of a longitudinal division plane and shaped near one end to provide an interior recess, separate contacts carried by the body detachably engageable with the supply contacts of a current using appliance and electrically connectible respectively with the conductors of a flexible cord, an intermediate handle member held in the recess between the two body parts and comprising two parts held in assembled, relation by the said body parts and shaped to provide interior recesses, and a handle provided with transversely projecting pivot means seated in the said recesses in the intermediate member to form a pivotal connection with the said member.

5. In an electrical connection plug, the combination of an insulating body comprising two companion parts positioned at opposite sides oi a longitudinal division plane and shaped near one end to provide an iiitB1lOI recess, separate contacts carried by the body detachably engageable with the supply contacts of a current using appliance and electrically connec'ible respectively with the conductors of a flexible cord, an intermediate .andle member held in the recess between the two body parts and comprising two parts held. in assembled relation by the said body parts and shaped to provide interior spher cally shaped recesses, and a handle provided.

with a projecting spherically shaped pivot means seated in the said recesses in the intermediate member to form a universal pivotal connection with the said member.

6. In an electrical connection plug, the combination of two separate contacts detachably engageable with the supply contacts of a current using appliance, two terminals electrically connected with the respective conrising two parts shaped to provide interior wee": a handle having a longitudinal hole t rough and provided at one end with transversely projecting pivot means normally seated in the said recesses in the intermediate rember to form a pivotal connection with said member. a flexible conductor cord extendin through the said holes in the intermedia I ll 0 to member and in the handle and having the conductors thereof directly connected at their inner ends to the respective terminals, and two companion body parts connectible with each other after the cord has been in sorted through the said holes and has been connected to the terminals. the said body parts when so connected. with each other serving to substantially enclose the contacts and terminals and the adjacent portions of the cord and further serving; to engage between them portions of the said parts of the intermediate handle member so as to hold the said parts in assembled relation and to retain both the said member and the said handle with the cord extending through both of them.

7. An electrical connection plug having an annularly grooved. recess therein adapted for the reception of the usual coiled wire cord guard, in combination with a handle means having portion entering and fitting the said recess and including transversely extending n e ections shaped tor convenient manual engagement, the said handle means being rotatable about the longitudinal lXlS of the recess and being hollow from end to end to permit the flexible cord to extend therethrough.

8. For an electrical connection plug having the usual annularly grooved cord guard re- (cs-s, an articulated handle means hollow tron]. end to end to permit the usual flexible cord to extend therethrough and comprising a member adapted to enter and lit the said recess.

9. For an electrical connection plug hav ing the usual annularly grooved cord guard recess, a handle means comprising in combiation an intermediate handle member ad apted. to enter and fit the said recess of the plug and having a hole thercthrough for the usual flexible cord and a handle pivotally connected with the said intermediate member and also having a hole therethrough for the said cord 10. For an electrical connection plug hav ing the usual annularly grooved cord guard recess, a handle means comprising in combination an intermediate handle member consisting of two parts adapted to enter and fit the said recess of the plug and to be thereby held in assembleo relation, the said parts of the intermediate member being shaped to pro ide hole through the member for the usual. flexible cord and being also shaped to provide interior recesses, and a handle provided with transversely projecting pivot means adapted to enter the said recesses in the intermediate member parts to form a pivotal connection with the said member, the said handle also having a hole therethrough tor the cord.

11. For a n electrical connection plug having the usual annularly grooved cord guard recess, a handle means comprising in combination an inte mediate handle member adapted to enter and fit the said recess of the plug and having a hole therethrough for the usual flexible cord, and a handle having a universal pivotal connection with the said intermediate member and also having a hole therethrough for the said. cord.

12. For an electrical connection plug having the usual annnlarly grooved cord guard recess a handle means comprising in combination an intermediate handle member con sisting of two parts adapted to enter and fit the said recess of the plug and to be thereby held in assembled relation, the said parts of the intermediate member being shaped to )rovide a hole through the member tor the usual flexible cord and being also shaped to provide interior spherically shaped recesses, and a handle provided With a projecting spherically shaped pivot means adapted to enter the said recesses in the intermediate member parts to form a universal pivotal connection with the said member, the said handle also having a hole therethrough for the cord.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 14th day of April, 1928.

BENJAMIN F. CONNER. 

